Trench machine



J. F. REILLY.

TRENCH MACHINE. APPLICATION FILEDJUNE s, 1921.

7 P te ted Oct 2 SHEETISSHEET 1.

1.1-". REILLY.

TRENCH MACHINE. APPLICATION BLED JUNE 6.1921.

1,432,904. 7 Patented 001;. 24, 1922.

Invenwrr 'FRmZQ Patented Get. 24, 1922.

stares TRENCI-I MACHINE.

Application filed J'une 6, 1921. Serial No. 475,178.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, JAMES F. REILLY. a citizen. of the United States, residing at Philadelphia, in the county of Philadelphia and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Trench Machines, of which the following is a specification.

- My invention relates to trench machines, IO that is to say, to apparatus adapted for use in facilitating the operations in and about trenches used for sewers, conduits and other similar purposes, and in such connection my invention relates more particularly to a track supporting structure adapted to be erected over the lines. of the trench and used for the removal of materials from place to place during the Operations in and about the trench work. Heretofore, in trench op- 0- erations, particularly in city streets, in many instances it has been found advisable to provide an overhead trackway for handling materials in and about the operation, so as to eliminate the necessity of piling the materials in the highway along the sides of the trench, as well also as rendering the operations more efiicient and rapid- Such structures, however, as heretofore constructed, were usually made up of structural members which were bolted together While in operative position, requiring the employment of relatively skilled labor for the erection, and also requiring the provision of the proper numbers of the requisite sizes and styles of bolts and nuts, many of which were lost or mislaid in moving the structure from one place to another, thereby causing great inconvenience as well as loss of time. The principal object of my present invention is to provide a track supporting structure for trench machines which may be readily and easily erected at the operation, requiring a minimum of skilled labor for such erection. A further object of my invention is to provide a structure of the general character aforesaid, which, when erect-- ed. will be very efficient in its construction, with the various parts thereof held rigidly together. tion is to provide a structure of the general character aforesaid in which, by the substitution of certain members of different A. further object of my inven lengths, the structure may be made suitable for use in connection with trenches of various widths. A further object of my invention is to provide in a structure of the general character aforesaid improved means for placing the sheet piling which is often required insuch operations.

The nature and characteristic features of my present invention will be more readily understood from the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings forming part hereof, in which Figure 1 is a transverse section of the framework of the track supporting structure of a trench machine embodying the main features of my present invention;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary side elevation thereof;

F 3 is a perspective view of a device for attaching the trackway to the top horizontal beams of the framework;

Fig. 4 is a similar perspective view of a device for attaching the rails to the cross timbers or ties upon which rails the framework is adapted to be moved along the lines of the operation as the work progresses;

Fig. 5 is a detail view illustrating, in side elevation, the arrangement for uniting the top horizontal beam to the uprights of the bents;

Fig. 6 is a top or plan view thereof;

Fig. 7 is a similar top or plan view of the arrangement for uniting the lower horizontal members to the side uprights of the bents; I

.Fig. 8 is a view similar to Fig. but showing the arrangement for uniting the longitudinal tie members to the bents, the longitudinal tie members being shown in section; and

Fig. 9 is a top or plan view thereof. the uprights of the bent being shown in section.

Referring to the drawings, in the particular embodiment of my invention therein shown, the framework for supporting the overhead trackway comprises a series of bents 10 formed of structural steel members united to each other in the peculiar manner hereinafter described, said bents being connected by means of longitudinal tie members similarly united to the uprights of the bents.

Each of the bents 10 comprises uprights 11 inclined inwardly and connected at their top ends by means for a horizontal beam 12, andv at their lower portions by means of a horizontal member 13, and between their upper and lower extremities by means of a horizontal member 141- which is preferably located some distance below the center so as to provide a larger clearway through the bents for the passage of the buckets or other devices for conveying the materials from place to place during the trench operation. The side uprights 11 are preferably made up of-two channels, arranged with their flanges outward, and spaced a slight distance from each other, to stiffen the same, by

means ofconnecting devices hereinafter described.

At the lower end of each of the uprights 11 there is fixedly secured a bracket 15, in which a flanged roller or wheel 16 is journalled. T he flanged rollers or wheels 16 ar provided so that the entire framework may be moved along the lines of the trench as the work progresses, and for this purpose the rollers or wheels 16 are mounted on tracks or rails 17 which, in turn, are

mounted on cross timbers 1.8 by means of cleats 19, shown in detached perspective in Fig. 4 of the drawing". The cleats 19 comprise bottom plates 20 having aaertures 21 extending therethrough for bolting or otherwise securing-the same to the cross timbers 18. Extending upward from the bottom plate 20 are extensions 22 which overlap the bottom flanges of the tracks .or rails 17, the overlapping extensions 22 in effect forming a groove 23 complemental in shape to the bottom flanges of the rails, within which groove the rails 17 are capable of longitudinal adjustment. Set screws 24: extend through one of the wings or extensions 22 to securely fasten the rail within the cleats 19 after the rails 17 and timbers 18 are properly located with respect to the trench lines.

The top horizontal beam 12 is preferably made of a structural steel I beam, and at each end of said I beam there is rigidly se cured, on each side of the web thereof, a plate member 25 having a portion extending beyond the end of the beam and having its end bent outward, forming an angular extension 26, each pair of said angular extensions forming in effect a T shape at each end of the top horizontal beam 12, as clearly shown in Fig. (i of the drawings. A the upper end of each upright 11 there is provided a socket member 27 comprising a casting having a tongue 28 extending between the two channels forming the up- .t 11 and serving as a spacer for sepng said channels a sufficient distance ten the same, the tongue 28 being secured between the channels by means of rivets 29 or other suitable fastening devices of a permanent character. The casting 27 has a portion extending on the inner side of the upright 11, having a recess or pocket 30 therein for the reception of the angular extensions 26 of the members 25, which are secured to the ends of the top horizontal beam 12. It will be noted that the recess or pocket 30 of the socket member 27 extends preferably in a vertical direction, and is not parallel to the inclination of the upright 11, :this arrangement being provided so as to facilitate the joining of the horizontal beam 12 to the top ends of the uprights 11 when assemblingthe structure, or separating the same when dismantling the structure.

The lower horizontal member 13 and the intermediate horizontal member 14- are likewise provided with plate members 25 rigidly secured on each side of the web thereof, at each end thereof, also having angularextensions 26 each pair of which also forms an extended T-shapeddevice adapted to be received in the pocket or recess 30 of the socket members 27 which are provided at suitable locations on the uprights 11, as clearly shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings.

It may here be noted that sets of various lengths of the top horizontal beams 12, the lower horizontal members 13, and the intermediate horizontal members 1 1, may be provided whereby the bents may be put together in desired widths, so that the structure may be readily adapted for use in connection with trenches'of various widths, at a minimum of expense and trouble. 7

The bents 10 are secured to each other by means of longitudinal tie members 35 arranged along the lines of the uprights 11, near the top and bottom thereof (see Figs. 1 and 2), the tie members 35 preferably being made of structural steelchannel beams.

F or securing the ends of the tie members'35 to the uprights 11 of the bents 10,-there is preferably secured on the outer side of the 119 web of the channel at each end thereof, a plate member 36 having anangular extension 37, which is seated in a pocket 88 in a portion 239 of a socket member 4:0 which is secured to the upright '11 by means of a tongue 4:1. The tongue a1 extends between the channels forming the upright 11 and is secured thereto by means of rivets as or other suitable fastening devices of a permanent character. The pockets 38 into 120 which the angular extensions 37 are fitted are open at the top so that the longitudinal tie members may be readily joined to the uprights 11 or removed therefrom as the framework is assembled or dismantled, when required.

The tophorizontal beam 12 forms a means for supporting a longitudinally extending track'way which preferably consists of an I beam 15, said I beam 45 being suspended from the lower flange of the horizontal strut 12 by means of the devicesd, one of which is shown in Fig. 3 of the drawings, comprising a casting having a slot 17 extending therethrough complemental in shape to the lower flanges ofthe top beam 12 of the bent 10, and also having another similar slot 1-8 on the under side extending transversely to the slot 47, which slot 18 is complemental in shape to the upper flanges of the I beam 15 which forms the maintrackway. Suitable set screws 19 and 50 are provided forloclzing the casting 46 both with respect to the flange of the horizontal strut 12 and the trackway 15, it, of course, being understood that by loosening said set screws the parts engaged by the casting 46 may be readily adjusted with respect to each other.v

The top beam 12 of each bent10 also serves to support, on each side ofthe main central trackway 15, an auxiliary trackway comprising smaller I beams 51 which are secured to the under flange of the top beam 12"by means of castings 16, similar to those used for supporting the main trackwayto. These auxiliary tracks 51 serve as a means for placing the sheet piling which is often necessary in trench work, and are particularly useful as a means for expeditiously handling the pile driving hammer 53, shown in Figs; 1 and 2 ofthe drawings, which pile driving hammer may be supported by means of suitable pulleys 54L and 55 and rope 56, the top pulley 55 being supported by a carriage 57 having wheels58 which are adapted to run on the lower flanges of the I beam forming the trackway 51.

By the foregoing arrangement, there is provided a construction offramework for supporting the trackway and handling the materials in and about the trench, which is so constructed and arranged that the framework may be readily and conveniently erected without requiring the use of skilled labor and obviating the usev of bolts and nuts of the various necessary sizes and styles which otherwise would be required. A

. framework so constructed and arranged may be quickly'and conveniently dismantled for removalfrom one place to another, and may be as readilyerected at another location when desired. It will alsobe noted that the main trackway may be readily alined, and that by the use of the auxiliary trackway the operations of placingthe sheet piling were necessary will be greatly facilitated; It will alsobe noted in this connection that, when necessary for placing the sheet piling, the

lower horizontal members 13 and 1% may betemporarily removed in an expeditious manner when it is requiredto insert the sheet piling in proximityto the location of an of the bents, and it' will furthermore be noted that the pile drivin hammer may be readily shifted from place to place on the auxiliary trackway, and also that the auxiliary trackway may be adjusted-sidewise to enable the pile driving hammer to be positioned directly over thelinc of the sheet piling at the sides of the trench.

Furthermore, it will. be noted that the structure is adaptablefor use in connection with trenches of various widths, it being only necessary to provide the transverse horizontal members comprising the top beam 12, the lower member 13 and the intermediate member let, in sets of various lengths so as to put each of the bents together in any desired width, according to the width of the trench required, thereby enabling the user to employ the structure under various conditions without necessitating the construction of an entire new framework. 1

Having thus described the nature and characteristic features of my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Let ters Patent, is:

1. In a trench machine, a framework consisting of a series of bents each comprising uprights, a top horizontal beam, and lower horizontal members, tongue and socket devices for detachably connecting the foregoing parts to each other, longitudinal tie members connecting the bents to each other, tongue and socket devices for detachably connecting said tie members to said bents, a trackway comprising an I beam supported from the top horizontal beams of the bents, the means for supporting saidI beam comprising devices having grooves transversely arranged with respect to each other and shaped complemental to and overlapping the flanges of said I beam and the top horizontal beams of the bents.

2. In a trench machine, a framework consisting of a series of bents each comprisin uprights, a top horizontal beam, and

lower horizontal members, tongue and socket devices for detachably connecting the foregoing parts to eaclrother, longitudinal tie members connecting the bents to each other, tongue and socket devices for detachably connecting said tie members to said bents, a main trackway comprising an I beam centrally supported from the top horizontal beams of the bents auxiliary traclrways comprising I beams supported from the top horizontal beams on each side of the main trackway.

3. In a trench machine, a f 'amework consisting of a series of bents each comprising uprights, a top horizontal beam, and lower horizontal members, tongue andsocket devices for detachably connecting the foregoing parts to each other,"longitudinal tie members connecting the bents to each other, tongueand socket devices for detachably connecting said tie members to said bents, a main trackway comprising an'I beam centrally supported from the top horizontal beams of the bents, auxiliary trackways comprising I beams supported from the top horizontal beams on each side of the main track- Way, the means for supporting said I beams comprising devices having grooves trans versely arranged with respect to each other and shaped complement-a1 to and overlapping the flanges of said I beams and the top horizontal beams of the bents.

4. In a trench machine, a 'lramework comprising a plurality of structural steel members, means for detachably uniting said members to each other comprising plates secured to the ends of certain of said members, said plates having angular extensions, and devices secured to others of said members having recesses complemental to and adapted "to receive the angular extensions or the plates carried by the other members.

5. In a trench machine, a framework consisting of a series of bents each comprising uprights, a top horizontal beam, and lower horizontal members, tongue and socket devices for detachably connecting the foregoing parts to each other, longitudinal tie members connecting the bents to each other, tongue and socket devices for detachably connecting said tie members to said bents, a trackway supported from the top horizontal. beams of the bents, wheels carried at the lower ends of the uprights oi the bents, rails upon which said wheels are adapted to travel, beams extending tiainsversely across the linesol' the trench, and means for secur ing said rails to said beams at fixed locations.

6. In a trench machine, a framework consisting of a series O l bents each comprising uprights, a top horizontal beam, and lower horizontal members, tongue and socket devices for detachably connecting the foregoing parts to each other, longitudinal tie members connecting the bents to each other,

tongue and socket devices for detachably connecting said tie members to said bents, a trackway supported from the top horizontal beams of the bents, wheels carried at the lower ends of the uprights. ot the bents, rails upon which said wheels are adapted to travel, beams extending transversely across the lines of the trench, and means for securing said rails to said beams comprising cleats secured to said beams at fixed locations. r

7. In a trench machine, a framework con sisting of a series of bents each comprising uprights, a top horizontal beam. and lower horizontal meniibers, tongue and socket devices for detachably connecting the. :toregoing parts to each other, longitudinal tie members connecting the bents to each other, tongue and socket devices for detachably connecting said tie members to said bents, a trackway supported from the top horizontal beams. of the bent-s, wheels carried at the lower ends ofthe uprights of the bents, rails upon which said wheels are adapted to travel, beams extending transversely across the lines of the trench, and means for securing said rails to said beams comprising cleats secured to said beams at fixed locations having recesses complemental to and adapted to receive the flanges of therails.

"8. In a trench machine, a framework for supporting an overhead trackway comprising a plurality of bents, wheels carried at the lower ends thereof, rails upon which said wheels are adapted to travel, a plurality of beams extending transversely across the trench lines, and cleats secured to said beams at fixed locations, said cleats having transversely extending recesses in which the flanges of the rails are positioned, said recesses being complemental to said flanges, and means adapted to engage the flanges of the rails for securing said rails to said cleats. v

9. In a trench machine, a framework for supporting an overhead trackway comprising a plurality of bents, wheels carried at the lower ends thereof, rails upon which said wheels are adapted totravel, a plurality of beams extending transversely across the trench lines, and cleats'secured to said beams at fixed locations, said cleats having transversely extending recesses in which. the flanges of the rails are positioned, said recesses "being complemental to said flanges, and set screws threaded in said cleats adapted to engage the flanges of the rails.

10. In apparatus of the character described, the combination with a trackway comprising a rolled steel flanged member and rolled steel flanged beam for supporting said trackway, of a device for attaching prising a unitary member having grooves in its u per and lower faces extending transversely to each other, said grooves being respectively complemental to the flanges of the supporting beam and to the flanges of the trackway. i

11. In apparatus of the character described, the combination with a trackway comprising a rolled steel flanged member and a rolled steelflanged beam, for supporting said trackway, of a device for attaching said trackway to said beam comprising a unitary member having grooves in its upper and lower faces extending transversely to each other, said grooves being respectively complemental to the flanges of the.

supporting beam and to the flanges of the trackway, and means for securing the flanges of the supporting beam and track way in said grooves.

12. In apparatus of the character de scribed, the combination with a] trackway comprising a rolled steel flanged member said trackway to said beam-.c0m-.

and a rolled steel flanged beam for supporting said trackway, of a device for attaching 7 way, and set screws threaded in said unitary member adapted to engage and secure the 10 flanges of the supporting beam and track- Way with respect to each other.

in testimony whereof, I have hereunto signed my name.

JAMES F. REILLY. 

